Who doesn’t love the smooth, rich, and blissful texture of sweetness melting in your mouth? Yes, I’m talking about chocolate. Chocolate has been around since the 1300’s when the Aztec’s first discovered cacao seeds. Ever since then, it’s been a game-changer all throughout the world. There are many options when it comes to chocolate. We chose ones that were overall high on our list in terms of accessibility and ethical business.

Current Trend & Status Quo

The cocoa industry has been booming for the past couple hundred years. Almost all of the world’s cocoa is grown in developing countries, such as Colombia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Yemen, but are consumed in industrialized countries. Compared to other commodities, cocoa prices are relatively volatile as they are subject to the effects of seasonality and growing conditions. For example in West Africa where the cacao is grown yearly, Harmattan winds cause a dusty haze that prevent cocoa pods from developing correctly. Additionally, massive demand for cocoa forcibly drives down prices, trapping farmers with low salaries.

Major Players

The chocolate industry’s top three manufacturing companies are names we grew up hearing: Nestle, Mars Inc., and Mondelez International.

Nestle: Biggest giant in the chocolate industry, with its 2015 net revenue at 88 billion dollars and workforce of 339,000 employees.

Mars Inc.: The 33 billion dollar American company responsible for all our childhood toothaches, from Snickers to M&Ms to Twix. Its houses 75,000 employees.

Mondelez International: One of the world’s largest snack companies with a 2015 net revenue of 30 billion dollars and workforce of 100,000 employees. Mondelez Int’l is responsible for Cadbury and Toblerone chocolates.

Important Variables

Country of Origin: Many of the countries that produce cocoa mainly lie below the equator such as Peru, Nigeria, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Brazil, and more. These cocoa producing countries come from warm, wet climates similar to where the bean was originated. Most chocolate is developed in countries where workers are paid very little. However, these companies mentioned above pay their workers a living wage. Cooperatives like Oko Caribe located in the Dominican Republic grow and harvest through agroforestry.

Agroforestry Farming: This practice is designed to use both agriculture and forestry to create a healthy ecosystem that not only yields a more flavorful crop but also mimics the natural biodiversity of the land. It integrates crops and/or livestock animals with trees and shrubs, yielding diversified income sources, increased biological production, better water quality, and an improved environment.